UCF Knights women’s soccer head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak signed a one-year extension that’ll keep her with the Knights until at least 2022.
In her previous five seasons at the helm, Roberts Sahaydak led the program to consistent success, including a 2017 season wherein the Knights went undefeated in American Athletic Conference play and earned a regular-season title. Overall, UCF finished 2017 with a 13-2-3 record, notching the most wins since 2014, finishing the regular season eighth in the United Soccer Coaches poll and ranking as high as sixth.
“We are extremely fortunate to have Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak leading our women’s soccer program now and for the foreseeable future,” UCF athletic director Danny White said, per the school’s press release. “Her background in the sport and vision for our program give us great confidence that we can continue building a national power here at UCF.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the future of UCF women’s soccer under Tiffany’s leadership.”
If Roberts Sahaydak’s future is anything like what she has done at UCF over the beginning of her stint, the Knights will be happy they invested in the former UNC Tar Heel. In five seasons, Roberts Sahaydak has led UCF to four AAC championships and four NCAA tournament berths, including an appearance in the 2014 Sweet 16.
Her success stems from her time as a player. In 1999, Roberts Sahaydak was a part of the the United States women’s national team roster that won the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Three years earlier, she also helped the U.S. win gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
“I want to thank Dr. Daniel J. White, Brandi Stuart and the UCF Athletic Department for giving me the opportunity to continue leading the women’s soccer program,” Roberts Sahaydak said, per the release. “Our accomplishments over the last five years would not have been possible without the support this program receives.
“I’m grateful for every day that I spend as part of the UCF family, and I’m excited to continue growing the program in the years to come.”
In addition to Roberts Sahaydak filling up UCF’s trophy cases, she is also prepping players for professional careers after their college days are over. Some notable names include midfielders Bridget Callahan and Kayla Adamek and forward Christine Creighton.
Callahan and Creighton are signed as national-team replacement players for the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League, as Adamek has been a regular trainee with the team.
The Knights, now, look forward to their first preseason match of the 2018 season against the Wyoming Cowboys on Aug. 9.
For more on the Knights, as they continue under the leadership of Roberts Sahaydak, follow Anthony Abruzzo on Twitter at @abruzzo_ant.
